The Executive Doctorate in - Penn GSE - University of Pennsylvania

Timeline
THE FIRST YEAR
l Summer Opening Seminar
Cohort kicks off the program at
Penn with a full week of classes.
l Fall
Students have a heavy load of
coursework and begin formulating
a dissertation topic.
l Spring
Coursework continues. Students
develop and defend a dissertation
proposal by June.
The Structure
The Executive Doctorate is a full-time Ed.D. program delivered in an executivestyle
format that allows students to keep their current full-time jobs while in the
program. Although various technologies are employed to facilitate collaborative
learning and communication, this is not an online degree—coursework takes
place on the Penn campus in Philadelphia. Each cohort of students is supported
by a program coordinator who facilitates all logistics and hospitality arrangements,
in addition to distributing course materials, sharing relevant information
and serving as a one-stop liaison to other university offices and resources.
THE SECOND YEAR
The program consists of six consecutive terms, starting with a late summer term
and culminating in a spring-term Commencement two years later. All students
must transfer the equivalent of a year of graduate coursework from a previous master’s
degree, first professional degree, or other doctoral degree. Students take a heavy
load of coursework in The First Year, while also developing a dissertation proposal.
The second summer is a study abroad experience, taking place in a one- or twoweek
overseas trip. Coursework continues in The Second Year, though at a lighter
pace, to allow students time to complete their research and dissertation drafting,
and culminates in a dissertation defense toward the end of the spring term.
l Summer International Seminar
One- or two-week study abroad
experience, meeting with higher
education leaders and researchers
at partner campuses.
l Fall
Coursework continues, but at a
lighter pace. Students complete
research and dissertation drafting.
Student accommodations are typically at the Hilton Inn at Penn, a AAA-rated
Four Diamond hotel only a block from the Graduate School of Education. The
hotel provides high-speed wired/wireless Internet connections, a business center,
meeting rooms and lounges, a fitness room, a restaurant, and other amenities.
Executive Doctorate classes are usually held in the GSE Conference Center, with
breakfast, lunch, breaks, and some dinners catered on site. Additional dinners,
often with faculty or visiting lecturers, are provided at a wide range of Philadelphia’s
finest restaurants. Students are responsible for travel to and from Philadelphia,
but all other costs for lodging, meals, and local transportation during class
sessions are included in the tuition and program fee.
l Spring
Students wrap up coursework and
final dissertation edits. Dissertation
defenses and Commencement!
The Executive Doctorate 3